Gene Kemp grew up near Tamworth in the Midlands. She studied at Exeter University, taught, married and had three children. She is best-known for her Cricklepit School stories, including The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler - a winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Children's Rights Award, Charlie Lewis Plays for Time, which was runner-up for the Whitbread Award in 1985, and Just Ferret, which was a runner-up for the Smarties Award in 1990. In addition, she has written The Clock Tower Ghost, Jason Bodger and the Priory Ghost (short stories) and a poetry anthology. She also writes for TV and radio. In 1984 she was awarded an honorary degree for her books, which have been translated into numerous languages.